Scottish watershed
Encyclopedia
The Scottish watershed is the drainage divide in Scotland
which separates river systems that flow to the east from those that flow to the west. On the summit of Ben Lomond
for example, looking west all water flows to the Firth of Clyde
, and looking east all water flows into the Firth of Forth
.
Although the concept of geographical watersheds is common, the first delineation of the Scottish watershed took place as recently as 1986. It was mapped out in that year by Dave Hewitt
, who in 1987 then walked the line of the watershed from south to north. Five people have done versions of the walk:
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
which separates river systems that flow to the east from those that flow to the west. On the summit of Ben Lomond
Ben Lomond
Ben Lomond , , is a distinctive mountain in the Scottish Highlands. Situated on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, it is the most southerly of the Munros...
for example, looking west all water flows to the Firth of Clyde
Firth of Clyde
The Firth of Clyde forms a large area of coastal water, sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by the Kintyre peninsula which encloses the outer firth in Argyll and Ayrshire, Scotland. The Kilbrannan Sound is a large arm of the Firth of Clyde, separating the Kintyre Peninsula from the Isle of Arran.At...
, and looking east all water flows into the Firth of Forth
Firth of Forth
The Firth of Forth is the estuary or firth of Scotland's River Forth, where it flows into the North Sea, between Fife to the north, and West Lothian, the City of Edinburgh and East Lothian to the south...
.
Although the concept of geographical watersheds is common, the first delineation of the Scottish watershed took place as recently as 1986. It was mapped out in that year by Dave Hewitt
Dave Hewitt
Dave Hewitt is editor of The Angry Corrie, a hillwalking magazine. He is editor in chief of TACit Press, author of Walking the Watershed, his account of walking the Scottish watershed, editor of A Bit of Grit on Haystacks, a celebration of the life of Alfred Wainwright, and editor of the Sport and...
, who in 1987 then walked the line of the watershed from south to north. Five people have done versions of the walk:
- Hewitt walked from the Anglo-Scottish borderAnglo-Scottish borderThe Anglo-Scottish border is the official border and mark of entry between Scotland and England. It runs for 154 km between the River Tweed on the east coast and the Solway Firth in the west. It is Scotland's only land border...
to Cape WrathCape WrathCape Wrath is a cape in Sutherland, Highland, in northern Scotland. It is the most northwesterly point on the island of Great Britain. The land between the Kyle of Durness and the lighthouse that is situated right at the tip, is known as the Parph, two hundred and seven square kilometers of...
in a single push, April–June 1987 - the late Mike Allen walked from Land's EndLand's EndLand's End is a headland and small settlement in west Cornwall, England, within the United Kingdom. It is located on the Penwith peninsula approximately eight miles west-southwest of Penzance....
to Cape Wrath in numerous mainly short sections, April 1988–October 1994 - Martin Prouse walked from RowardennanRowardennanRowardennan is a small hamlet on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond in Scotland.Rowardennan is at the northern end of the public road, but the West Highland Way passes through the village and continues north along the side of the loch. Rowardennan has a hostel and camping for hikers on the West...
to Ben HopeBen HopeBen Hope is a mountain in northern Scotland. It is the most northerly Munro, standing alone in the Flow Country south-east of Loch Hope in Sutherland. The mountain is a roughly triangular wedge, with a great crag on the west, with two lower shoulders to the south and northeast...
in one go, July–August 1994 - Peter Wright walked from the Anglo-Scottish border to Duncansby HeadDuncansby HeadDuncansby Head is the most north-easterly part of the Scottish mainland, including even the famous John o' Groats, Caithness, Highland...
in eight sections, Jan–Aug 2005 - Malcolm Wylie completed a 131-day traverse, in 14 sections